Cinecast Mailbag (8/3)

Something a little different today, Adam and I are posting our nominees for Best Performances of the Year (So Far). Unless otherwise noted, we each chose 5 nominees per category. Statues will be handed out to winners on next Tuesday's show (Cinecast #27). It's a sad fact that there are a dearth of good roles for women in Hollywood -- and our list of nominees reflects that. We didn't add names to the list just because they were eligible (e.g., Nicole Kidman in "The Interpreter"). We only listed those performances that genuinely excited us in the films we've seen this year. We encourage your feedback! Let us know who you think is missing...

Best Actress
Miranda July, Me and You And Everyone We Know
Jennifer Connolly, Dark Water
Rhada Mitchell, Melinda and Melinda

Best Actor
Russell Crowe, Cinderella Man
Romain Duris, The Beat That My Heart Skipped (SH)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mysterious Skin (AK)
Terrence Howard, Hustle & Flow
Paul Kaye, It's All Gone Pete Tong
Michael Pitt, Last Days

Best Supporting Actress
Eva Green, Kingdom of Heaven (AK)
Taraji Henson, Hustle & Flow (SH)
Taryn Manning, Hustle & Flow
Brittany Murphy, Sin City (SH)
Mary Lynn Rajskub, Mysterious Skin
Renee Zellwegger, Cinderella Man

Best Supporting Actor
Brady Corbet, Mysterious Skin (SH)
Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man
Terrence Howard, Crash
Ian McDiarmid, Star Wars: Episode III (AK)
Ed Norton, Kingdom of Heaven (AK)
John C. Reilly, Dark Water (SH)
Mickey Rourke, Sin City